Charli Grant just made the big move to Swedish side Malmö after leaving Tottenham Hotspur, and make no mistake, this isn't just a club change; it's a full-on sprint for a spot in next summer's World Cup squad. For international players, that World Cup dream is everything, and Grant's decision shouts loud and clear that she's making a serious push to reassert herself.
The Tottenham Slide and That Brutal Injury
Things really started to get tough for Grant at Tottenham. She signed a three-year deal with Malmö, but before that, her time at Tottenham was winding down in a way nobody wants. She joined under boss Robert Vilahamn back in January 2024, but by the end of her stint, she was definitely on the periphery. Last season, the 24-year-old played a shocking total of just 85 minutes across the entire campaign. Add to that a knee injury she picked up in November that kept her sidelined. It couldn't have come at a worse time, man. She was in the final season of her contract with a home Asian Cup on the horizon. Ultimately, she didn't make the cut for the Matildas, and her national coach Joe Montemurro didn't mince words, telling journalists he "hadn’t seen enough proof from her that she was ready to go." That Matildas squad went on to finish runners-up to Japan on home soil. Tough break all around.A World Cup Spot Is Wide Open, But the Competition Is Heating Up
Now, the battle to deputize for her country's first-choice right-back, Ellie Carpenter, is wide open. Grant was "long considered the go-to" for that role, but the landscape has changed. She's now up against Charlize Rule, who's solidified her spot in Brighton’s first 11, and Jamilla Rankin, who just sealed a move to Eintracht Frankfurt after a solid two years at Hoffenheim. Don't forget Kaitlyn Torpey from Newcastle, who brings versatility to either side of the defense, or even Courtney Nevin, her new club-mate at Malmö, who's mostly played left-back but can handle either full-back role. Yeah, the road to the Matildas' 2027 World Cup squad is far from straightforward. So, for Charli, it's all about getting her game back at Malmö. The road to the 2027 World Cup isn't easy, but she's made her move to ignite that spark. We'll be watching to see if she can reclaim that 'go-to' spot.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.